Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District
Encyclopedia
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan for flood reduction and water conservation in the Muskingum River
Watershed, the state's largest wholly contained watershed, covering more than 8000 square miles (20,719.9 km²). Since the original construction of 14 reservoirs and dams in the 1930s (two more were built later), more than $7 billion worth of property damage has been saved from flooding.
The operation of the lakes and dams, along with the property immediately surrounding the dam sites, was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington
District, after the approval of the Flood Control Act of 1939
by Congress. The MWCD continues to be responsible for the management of much of the reservoir areas behind the dams, serving as a partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood reduction. The reservoirs also serve as sources of public water supply and the MWCD manages about 54000 acres (218.5 km²) of water and property, most of which is open for public access. In addition to operating a number of recreation facilities, the MWCD cooperates with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for fishing and hunting management.
Muskingum River
The Muskingum River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 111 miles long, in southeastern Ohio in the United States. An important commercial route in the 19th century, it flows generally southward through the eastern hill country of Ohio...
Watershed, the state's largest wholly contained watershed, covering more than 8000 square miles (20,719.9 km²). Since the original construction of 14 reservoirs and dams in the 1930s (two more were built later), more than $7 billion worth of property damage has been saved from flooding.
Projects
After its formation, the MWCD began planning an extensive system of flood-reduction reservoirs and dams in the Muskingum River Watershed, which covers all or portion of 27 counties (about 20 percent of the state). By 1938, a network of 14 reservoirs and dams was constructed. The 10 permanent reservoirs are widely recognized for their outdoor recreational opportunities, attracting more than 5 million visitors annually.- Atwood LakeAtwood LakeAtwood Lake is a reservoir located in Tuscarawas and Carroll counties in east central Ohio. The lake is formed by Atwood Dam across Indian Fork, a tributary of Conotton Creek . The lake is named for the community of Atwood which was purchased, demolished and inundated...
- Beach City Lake
- Charles Mill LakeCharles Mill LakeCharles Mill is a reservoir located in central Ohio near the junction of State Routes 430 and 603. Charles Mill Lake is a quiet and enjoyable place for boating, camping, fishing, hunting, or hiking. The lake is located in both Richland County and Ashland County , with the dam located in Ashland...
- Clendening LakeClendening LakeClendening Lake is a reservoir located in Harrison County, Ohio, in the United States of America, formed by damming Brushy Fork, East of Tippecanoe....
- Leesville LakeLeesville Lake (Ohio)Leesville Lake is a reservoir located near Ohio State Route 212 and Leesville, Ohio. The lake is formed by Leesville Dam across McGuire Creek, a tributary of Conotton Creek . The lake is named for the village of Leesville....
- Piedmont Lake
- Pleasant Hill Lake
- Seneca Lake
- Tappan LakeTappan LakeTappan Lake is a reservoir in Harrison County, Ohio, United States.Also known as: Tappan ReservoirThe lake covers of water and of surrounding land, as part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. Normal pool elevation is above sea level. The lake has a limit for boats. There are two...
- Wills Creek Lake
- Bolivar Dam
- Dover Dam
- Mohawk DamMohawk DamMohawk Dam, located in Jefferson Township, Coshocton County, Ohio northwest of Nellie, is a dry dam constructed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in the mid 1930s for the purpose of flood control on the Walhonding River. The dam is part of the larger 18-county Muskingum Watershed...
- Mohicanville Dam
The operation of the lakes and dams, along with the property immediately surrounding the dam sites, was transferred to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington
Huntington, West Virginia
Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...
District, after the approval of the Flood Control Act of 1939
Flood Control Act of 1939
Flood Control Act of 1939 , enacted on August 11, 1939 by the 76th Congress, is U.S. legislation that authorized construction of flood control projects across the United States...
by Congress. The MWCD continues to be responsible for the management of much of the reservoir areas behind the dams, serving as a partner to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood reduction. The reservoirs also serve as sources of public water supply and the MWCD manages about 54000 acres (218.5 km²) of water and property, most of which is open for public access. In addition to operating a number of recreation facilities, the MWCD cooperates with the Ohio Division of Wildlife for fishing and hunting management.